March 2026 - Carole Hazlehurst. British Winemakers abroad

 

I was on holiday, so can’t report much, so for the record, these were the wines

 

Framingham Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2023, 13.5%

Holden Manz Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2023, 12.5%

Domaine Begude, Le Paradis Viognier, Haute Vallée de L'Aude, 2024, 13%

Mirabeau Pure, Côtes de Provence, 2024, 12.5%

Incanta Pinot Noir, Romania, 2024, 12.5%

Paso-Primero Pasotismo, Somontano, Spain, 2022, 13.5%

Our Fathers, There is a light, McLaren Vale 2023, 14.5%

Domaine Treloar, Le Maudit, Côtes de Roussillon, 2012, 14%

April 2026 - The AGM. Wines by the Committee

 

So, The AGM. As usual we had wines by the committee – plus yours truly.

The theme was “Your personal favourite (or close) at an affordable price”. Interestingly 7 of the 8 were from Europe, with the 8^th from South Africa, so no new world or antipodean wine at all. 4 whites, 4 reds. The prices are a bit of a movable feast, as several of the wines were bought on various offers – 25% off, 33% off, Majestic Mix 6 etc…

Casal de Ventozela, Vinho Verde, Majestic– Arinto 10.5% (Portugal) - £9.50 (Mix 6)

Vouvray, Sainsbury's - Chenin Blanc 11.5% (France) - £8.44

No 1 Gavi di Gavi, Waitrose – Cortese 13.0% (Italy) - £11.25 (at 25% off)

Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi, Sainsburys - Verdicchio  13.0% (Italy) £7 (at 25% for 6)

Von Der Land, Zweigelt, Majestic 12.7% (Austria) - £11 (Mix 6)

Garnacha 2025, Cariñena 14.0% (Spain) – Bought in Spain - €5

The Guv'nor' VIP, Majestic Tempranillo 14.0% (Spain) - £10

KWV Petit Verdot 2024 Petit Verdot 14.0% (South Africa) £12.99 on offer from “The Wine Flyer)

 

As usual, i’m not going to do a best/worst. They were all jolly good.

February 2026. South African WInes by Preet Sahota

 

South African Wine, Presented by Preet Sahota. “New Varieties & Vineyards“

This months presnter was a new face to us, Preet Sohota of Edgemond Wines in Shropshire (www.edgmondwines.co.uk) I personally enjoyed the evening, but several members did think it was very light on information about the wines, the vineyards or producers. Which is a fair criticism. We did find out far more about how a guy of South Asian background ended up in the wine trade than the wines.

The wines themselves are all boutique wines, and priced accordingly, and they are good, but with a notable absence of “New Varieties”. All very good, but are they good enough at the price point? The prices are all the list prices, we got a very good deal on the evening.  

Whites

Schenkfontein Truida MCC 2022 – 100% Chenin Blanc (Sparkling) 12%- £24.99

               This one is in fact very good. Unusual to see a sparkling C-B.

Cloudskraal Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – 100% Sauvignon Blanc 13.5% - £23.99

Villa Esposto Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – 100% Sauvignon Blanc 13.5% - £24.95

Villa Esposto Chenin Blanc 2025 – 100% Chenin Blanc 13.5% -£34.95

Reds

Blake Family Wines Pinot Noir 2025 – 100% Pinot Noir 14.5%. £36.99

               Really still very young. Needs a couple of years yet.

Villa Esposto Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023 – 70% CS, 70% Merlot 14.5% £23.99

               Also too young – although at 3 years old it should be showing something. Hmm….

Villa Esposto Pinotage 2023 – 100% Pinotage 14.5% £25.99

               Also 3 years old, and rather better than the previous CS/M

Dessert

Winkelshoek Cape Vintage 2022 – 100% Pinotage. 17.5%  

A dessert wine. Not my thing, but many did like it.